I, too, have hair long like yours - except I have ZERO natural curl. I have contemplated cutting it.... and, although I know it will grow back, I love my long hair.
However, I grew up with short hair; I was sometimes mistaken for a boy, and my mom didn't want to deal with long hair. I do not look good with short hair at all. It wasn't until I was in high school that I decided to grow my hair out. It took about 4 years to go from chin length to my waist. (I am now 24).
You might cut it off and hate it, but at least it will grow back.
If you truly LOVE the length, maybe you should start with a new hairstyle - perhaps bangs and layers with some highlights or a whole new color. Then go from there.
I would consult with a good stylist to see what they can do and would recommend to help frame your face and would be easy to care for.

I have to agree with cutting it :) I've had my hair long, medium and short length. I prefer it shorter. Shorter hair tends to make you look younger and gives you greater versatility. Plus you can always grow your hair out if you don't like it.

I also agree with cutting it & donating it to Locks of Love. I think a nice "right below shoulder length" cut would look fabulous on you. Good luck:carrot:

You have beautiful hair! I wouldn't go any shorter than shoulder length though, atleast not at first. It would be too much of a shock I think.

I also have frizzy hair and it's really thick and POOFED out into a triangle shape on my head for the longest time! If that's a concern for you, a stylist finally introduced me to these really cool scissors that cut out hair, with out taking off length. So it just takes out bulk. So may hair doesn't frizz out to the sides as much!

Originally Posted by Stevi-rocks:
Hmmm...You have really pretty hair. I say no to the whole chopping thing. I go from long to short once in a while (prolly 3 times in my life) and every time I say "NEVER AGAIN!" I geuss I have a poor memory;) My friend has hair as long maybe even longer than your and she cut it once as a teen...No bueno. You two even look alike! Try bangs or highlights first...see where that leaves you. BTW you loss is absolutely fantastic!

I agree w/stevi-rocks! I think that highlighted would look so nice!
I love long hair and yours is BEAUTIFUL!!

I have very curly hair and made the mistake of going very short. I now have long layers just about my shoulder blades, but it angles towards my face so the sides are just a little longer than my chin...I can wear it stratight or curly.

I think getting the 12 inches cut off and layers would make your natural curl easy to work with and beautiful with losing the securtiy of your hair.

I'd also say a bit longer than shoulder length with some layers framing your face for the first cut. You'll have to keep us updated on what you decide :)

I like the donation idea. I had long hair for years and I have gradually gone shorter. You might want to have it cut in stages until you get adjusted to going shorter unless you want the shock value.The thing with hair is it does grow back if you absolutely hate it!!
My only suggestion would be to go to a good hairstylist--maybe someone whose hair you like can recommend one to you.

You have such beautiful hair :)

When I was heavy, I used my hair as "camoflage." The bigger my hair, the smaller the rest of me must look in comparison. When I lost weight, I was finally able to cut it - show off my newly slender neck and amazing new cheekbones.

I was happier with my hair short, if you think you might be happier, cut off a little. It would be good for it and you can always grow it back if you aren't happy.

You can see my before/after pics here and what a difference a haircut made for me! I also donated my hair to Locks for Love and received a nice post card that I hung on the frig :)

http://gloriana.myphotoalbum.com/vie...umName=album02

I heard once that cutting your hair is a sign of a spiritual rebirth. Who knows if that's true, but it's kind of fun to think about.

I have long hair, and I'm doing a donation to Locks 4 Love sometime. I'm not ready to cut it yet, though.

Before I started in the dance and costuming field, I managed a hair salon. In my professional opinion, and from the thousands of heads that I have styled and cut during those years-here is what I think.

Yes, your hair is pretty...BUT...it is *too* long. There is such a thing. :D When hair gets below middle of your back, it doesn't do any justice to it at all to have it all one length. One length hair that is longer than the middle of your back does nothing but "hang" there. It is too long and heavy to have any body to it, is too long/heavy to put up in a lot of updo styles, etc. and pretty much you are left with:
~it hanging there, limp..
~a braid
~a ponytail

I don't think that you should go from where it is now, to something super short...but SOMETHING needs cut. If you want to keep the length of the hair, then you need to add some layers to it so that there are different lengths in there-to give it some body, and to revitalize those weighed down curls. You would have GORGEOUS curls with the right styling product, and some of the weight taken off. Because your hair is so heavy, those curls are really drooping.

If you want to keep the hair unlayered, then my advice would be to take about a foot off of it or more-maybe just below the shoulders or about the chest area. If your hair is unprocessed (no color, perm, etc.) then it could easily be donated. (Some places will not make wigs out of processed hair.)

My SIL has naturally curly hair, and her hair is just like yours-too long, too heavy, and she alternates it hanging there, a braid, or a "scrunchie". Her curls are BEGGING to come out and play...

I have naturally wavy hair-not so much super curly, but wavy-and I have found that the best thing to do with it is to accentuate the curl in the hair, rather than trying to battle it. It is much easier to style it with the curl, rather than trying to blow it out, "weight" it down with more hair, and so forth. Work WITH what nature gave you, not against it.

Oooooooo...I want to vote too!!!

Cut it! I had hair longer than yours for the first 24 years of my life. I seriously struggled with cutting it, but was so glad when I did. First of all, DON'T let a friend cut it! You will be dissapointed how it hangs if someone cuts it that doesn't know what they are doing. Secondly, get a rounded, bra strap length cut...it will do HUGE things for your figure! Thirdly, get some layers in there! Not anything to make a "shaggy" look, but enough to fill things out a bit. It is amazing what a layering will do for you! NO BANGS!!! I regret having that done once...you have to hassle growing them out and then if the wind plays with your hair, you are scrambling trying to set them to rights again. And lastly, get a 'face frame'....it will really complement your face a lot. I really think you would look awesome with this kind of hair-do....and it is 'playful' and hard to mess up during the day!

Take a pic when you get done whatever you decide!

That hair is too gorgeous to completely let go (except to locks of love, or something). I suggest changing your part, maybe some side-swept bangs? Also some long layers would look good too, I think. is that your natural color? Lucky!

Ah, thanks everyone for your input & compliments!!! I can't believe all of your differing opinions. You are all just as torn as I am. (And darn it, I should have made this thread a poll!!)

After reading your responses, I think I'll take the advice of getting it cut, but not too extreme. And I do want to try layers, but I'm not sure about highlights (It's never been colored, that's my natural color). And I've seen some frightening highlight jobs. But it's a good idea to be able to have two stabs at it in case I don't like the first cut, because if I cut it REALLY short, there's no way I can get it cut again.

Thanks Aphil for your professional advice. I was hoping someone had hair styling experience. I agree my hair is VERY heavy and that's why it is so straight at the top.

Oh, I will DEFINITELY donate my hair to Locks of Love. I think I may definitely cut off more than 12 inches.

Glory Your hair cut is adorable. :D

I'm definitely going to a very high end professional salon. I wouldn't want someone who didn't have a lot of experience (and I'd never let a friend or a family member get near my hair with scissors).

techwife Thanks for your advice as well. I think the frizz is natural, because I never blow dry, I've never dyed it, and I don't brush it wet either. I would love to come and let you make my hair fabulous!!!

Thanks to everyone!!! You've really helped me. I think something too short may be too much of a shock, but I will definitely go shorter and I'll be sure to post pictures of my new hair!!!!

I'm in the KC metro area, so I'll probably be going to a salon on the plaza. Another question, although I'm on a limited budget, how much would a high end hair cut cost? I'm thinking about $200? Am I way wrong?

Thanks again!!! You girls are so great!!!!

I go to a fairly nice salon near Seattle. A hair cut is 50.00 + tip (that includes wash/blow out). Color/highlight adds big bucks and the colorist must also be tipped.